David Moyes has informed all clubs interested in signing Declan Rice this summer that they don’t stand a chance.
Rice has emerged as one of the leading central midfielders in Europe over the past 18 months, with the assumption being that he won’t stay at West Ham for much longer.
All due respect to the Hammers, Rice himself has admitted he has a desperate and immediate desire for silverware, one which won’t be satisfied at the London Stadium.
Chelsea, Rice’s former club, have been the side most closely linked, with Manchester United and Manchester City also understood to be monitoring the situation.
All three of the Premier League heavyweights will have taken note of David Moyes’ recent comments on the situation, with the Scotsman essentially telling them to do one.
West Ham manager Moyes announces Declan Rice won’t be for sale in the summer: “If you are interested, well, it will be north of that [£100m]. One hundred was cheap last summer…”. 🚨⤵️ #WHUFC
“One hundred and fifty million just now would be minimum but he is NOT for sale”. pic.twitter.com/iQQoILMMAr
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) April 2, 2022
West Ham will undoubtedly be reluctant to sell Rice, but they will also be aware of the risk they run of losing him on the cheap, should he allow his contract to run down.
Comments of this nature from Moyes could be an acknowledgement that Rice is likely to leave, but merely act as a means to drive the price through the roof.
We’ll have to wait and see how the situation develops in the months leading up to this summer, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see him move on.
